Spare practice play for an automatic pinspotter



June 18, 1963 SANG Y. WHANG ETAL 3,094,3 7

SPARE PRACTICE PLAY FOR AN "AUTOMATIC EINSPOTTEER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay '6, 1960 June 1963 "'SANG Y.WHANG ETAL 3,094,327

:SPARE PRACTICE PLAY "FOR "AN AUTOMATIC YPINSPOTTER Filed May 6. 1960GSheets-Sheet 2 45 $1] 44 38 ;,m, m. i ii 4 ATTORNEY June 18, I963 SANGWHANG ETAL SPARE PRACTICE PLAY FOR AN AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER Filed May a,1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 lvau J20 A 77445? Por/rrm/v 6' SEC.

2.20 SEC.

0 SEC.

INVENTORS SAM/C7 K W/m/vs 30/? my 1 ,S'EIDA/EA BY ATTORNEY June I8, 1963SANG Y. WHANG ETAL SPARE PRACTICE PLAY FOR AN AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER FiledMay 6. 1960 1 E. v Z4L/D-C. Ta [NERQUPI'ZR or I 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 BYAp/MATTORNEY June 18, 1963 SANG Y. WHANG ETAL SPARE PRACTICE PLAY FOR ANAUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 6, 1960 56D, R m W WWW/mi aw A MM United States Patent 3,094,327 SPARE PRACTICE PLAY FOR ANAUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER Sang Y. Whang, 12 Hinsdale St., Brooklyn, N.Y., andBurton V. Seidner, 9 Pinetree Lane, Great River, N.Y. Filed May 6, 1960,Ser. No. 27,328

- 26 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to automatic pinspotterapparatus designed to spot ten tenpins on a bowling alley floor so thata bowler may play the customary tenpin bowling game.

The well known automatic pinspotter currently in use is made by AmericanMachine & Foundry Company. This apparatus is adapted to spotautomatically ten tenpins on a bowling alley floor against which abowler plays his game. Automatic operation of the pinspotter alsocontemplates removal of dead wood after the first ball is thrown, atwhich time the pinspotter is holding the spare wood missed by the firstball. The apparatus automatically respots the spare pins for second ballthrow. This machine also involves other phases of automatic operation,such as spotting a new set of tenpins after a strike throw.

With the growing popularity of bowling as a game, more persons arefinding it desirable to practice against one or combinations of two ormore tenpins constituting spare woods and, in particular, those sparecombinaitons of spares that prove to be difiicult to the individualbowler. For such spare pratcice, each bowler may wish to practiceagainst different combinations of spare wood. At present, spare practicecan be achieved by having a pin boy setting up the spare wood. Hence, itwould be desirous if the foregoing apparatus, in addition to its normalcycle of operation, is also capable of spotting one or more combinationsof spare standing pins against which aperson can practice. Consequently,the instant invention contemplates certain modifications to the currentautomatic pinspotter apparatus, such that, in addition to its normaloperation, it will also :be capable of spotting any combination of oneto ten tenpins so that a bowler may practice against any desiredcombination of spare standing wood. The invention is designed so thatthe machine will continue to provide such desired combination of sparetenpins until the machine is actuated to provide a different combinationof spare tenpins or, if desired, the machine returns to normal operationof spotting ten tenpins on the floor for the bowling game.

As a further advantage, of the instant invention, the modificationscontemplated herein for allowing a machine to provide spare playpractice involves certain structural and electrical changes to thepinspotter which maybe readily incorporated into the standard AmericanMachine & Foundry automatic pinspotter currently in use as well as thoseto be made in the future. In addition, the invention is of suchcharacter that it will permit the bowling alley operator or player bymeans of switches to actuate operaton of the machine incorporating theinvention so that it can easily convert from normal play operation tospare play operation or vice versa.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the instant invention toprovide means for modifying the standard AMF automatic pinspotterwherein said apparatus will provide whenever desired normal bowling playoperation or spare practice operation wherein the latter contemplatesspotting of any desired combination of one to ten tenpins and wherebyconversion from one operation to the other is readily achieved by asimple modification to adjustable track means and actuation of a switch.

It is a further object of the invention to modify the current operativerelationship between the automatic pinspotter distributor and the tabletrack means so that for 3,094,327 Patented June 18, 1963 spare practiceplay the distributor will stop at preselected table cups correspondingto those tenpins constituting the combination desired for spare practiceplay and wherein the distributor by-passes all other table cups.

It is a further object of the invention to modify a portion of theelectrical system for regulating operation of the current pinspotterapparatus, whereby such apparatus may be used for normal tenpin play orspare practice play whenever desired, and when operated for the latter,said modified circuit is devised to regulate the pin elevator cam gateenergizing circuit so that the elevator delivers a single tenpin whenthe distributor is stopped at a selected table cup and wherein theelevator gate circuit is temporarily de-actuated to prevent delivery ofa tenpin after releasing just one ten-pin. Another modification of theelectrical system involves the pin counter switch which is actuated whena first tenpin is released to the distributor and counted, and whichswitch is de-actuated after a preselected number of tenpins constitutingthe desired set to make up a combination of spare practice pins arecounted out. A fourth modification involves the distributor positionswitch circuit such that the circuit opens when the first tenpin of theaforesaid desired set is counted and which circuit is closed when thedistributor head reaches a position along the track corresponding to thefirst of the selected table cups at which the distributor starteddistribution of the aforesaid given set of pins.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of the invention taken in conjunction with the figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective elevation and partly cut away anautomatic pinspotter currently employed in numerous bowling alleys;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the track means employed in theaforesaid apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the distributor headshowing same in operative engagement with the track means andincorporates an embodiment of structural modification to said track inaccordance with the improvements claimed herein;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view showing the adjustable stopperattached to said track in accordance with the invention; A

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective View showing details of the stopperin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the sixth level of the stepper relaycircuit currently employed in the aforesaid pinspotter apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of cam profiles currently employed in thepinspotter electrical circuit;

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuit of thesixth level of the stepper relay circuit pursuant to the improvementsclaimed herein, and it will be understood that in accordance theinvention the circuit shown in FIG. 9 is used in lieu of the circuitshown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a schematic of a portion of the electrical circuit shown inFIG. 9;

FIG. l-l is a schematic of an electrical circuit that may be used as analternative for a portion of the circuit shown in FIG. 10;

FIGS. I12 and 13 are schematics of portions of the electrical circuitshown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 illustrates schematically and in elevation a mechanical counterto be used as an alternative for the stepper counter relay illustratedin FIG. 12; and FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the adjustable countermember employed in the mechanical counter of FIG. 14; and

'FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate a further embodiment to the distributor headand track for stopping the distributor at selected cups.

Reference is now made to the figures and, in particular, to FIG. *1 foran understanding of the mode of operation and structre of an automaticbowling pinspotter of the general type currently employed in numerousbowling alleys. It is the purpose of this invention to modify pinspotter20 in accordance with the improvements claimed herein to achieve thepreviously described objects. Inasmuch as the structure of pinspotter 21and its operation are well known to those skilled in the art, thefollowing description and the illustrations thereof will be brief andschematic merely to provide desirable background information for anunderstanding of the improvements claimed herein.

Pinspotter 29 includes a descendable and ascendable pinsetter table 21which includes a V-shaped framework 22 supporting four rotatable tableshafts 23. Shafts 23 support ten operatively associated spotting andrespotting mechanisms 24. Spotting and respotting mechanisms aredisposed in a triangular array wherein each mechanism corresponds to theposition to be occupied by a correlated tenpin when spotted on the alleypin deck. The ten spots 29 are shown in FIG. 1 on the pin deck portionof the alley floor on which the individual pins are set. Accordingly,the mechanism for pin No. 1 is the apex of the triangular array and atthe front of table 21, and the last row of mechanisms are for tenpins 7through 10, wherein the No. 7 pin is at the left rear looking down upontable 21. Each spotting mechanism includes a spotting cup 24a of joinedsplit castings to receive, store and release a tenpin on the alley pindeck. Each spotting mechanism also includes a gripping and releasingcell to pick up a correlated standing pin after a first ball is rolledto permit the removal of deadwood. The respot cells return theindividual pins to their respective spots after removal of deadwood forthe second ball. The details of the aforesaid cups and cells are wellknown in the art and do not involve the improvements claimed herein. Forfurther information for this apparatus, reference may be made toAutomatic PinspottersInstruction and Service Manual published in 1953,and Automatic PinspottersParts List, Rev. 1) 2-55 both published by AMFPinspotters, Inc. of Shelby, Ohio, a subsidiary of American Machine &Foundry Company.

The table assembly as a whole is supported by a plurality of suitablearms connected to crank means, not shown, and which are responsive to atable motor drive shaft, not shown. The table motor is located inframework above table 21. The assembly is guided by a suitableparallelagram arrangement of connecting rods attached to a rear frame. Atable spotting cam, not shown, is keyed to the motor drive shaft, andits cam follower transmits spot-ting motion through suitable mechanicallinkages, gears, cranks, and rods to table shafts 23. When table shafts23 perform their spotting function, they revolve to swing the spottingcups downward to spot the individual tenpins on the alley deck.Reference may be made to the foregoing AMF publications for the detailsof the foregoing apparatus.

A descendable and ascendable sweep mechanism 25 is provided at the frontof pinspotter 2i). Sweep 25 is actuated by the pinspotter electricalsystem and is adapted to guard pinspotter 20, and in particular table21, when the latter is in descended position against possible damage bya prematurely rolled ball. During its sweep cycle, sweep 25 removesdeadwood from the alley. A ball cushion 26 supported upright in the pitportion of pinspotter 20 serves to stop a bowled ball. When struck bythe ball, cushion 26 provides an electrical signal which starts thecycle of pinspotter operation. A conveyor carpet 27 immediately in frontof cushion 26 feeds the ball to a ball-lift, not shown, which returnsthe ball to the bowler. Carpet 27 also works the tenpins swept from thealley to a continuously revolving pin elevator wheel 28 behind cushion26. Pin elevator 28 carries the tenpins 30 up to a position from whichthe tenpins 30 are fed, one pin at a time, to an expansible-contractibletelescoping distributor 31 on the front side of elevator 28 uponactuation of a solenoid operated elevator cam gate 32. Cam gate 32 is onthe rear side of elevator 28. The tenpins 30 guided to elevator 28 areclamped into spaced elevator pockets by correlated spring loadedreleasable rods 33. Rods 33 extend through elevator wheel 28 and areprovided with individual operatively associated followers 34 ridingalong a stationary master cam 35 on the back of elevator 28. Cam 35incorporates the displaceable cam gate 32 which when closed prevents therelease of the tenpins to distributor 31. When gate 32 opens, it allowseach approaching follower 34 to drop into the cam trough 35a whichaction causes the related clamping rod 33 to release the tenpin heldthereby to distributor 31.

Distributor 31 includes a continuously moving telescoping belt 36 whichcarries the single file of tenpins 30, each butt end forward, to anindexing head 37 at the front or discharge end of the distributor. Therear of the distributor is pivoted so that it can swing from side toside, whereby its index head 37 is able to travel along a precisionmolded triangular-shaped toothed track 38, provided with gear teeth 44as shown in FIG. 2. Track 38 is attached to table '21, and isoperationally engaged by distributor head gear and backup roller means39, 3911, FIG. 3, whereby the distributor head 37 travels one completerevolution around track 38 to return to its starting position for eachphase of tenpin distribution. Track 38 is provided with ten fixed stops40, and each stop 40 is located adjacent a correlated spot cup 24a.Stops 40 are operatively engaged by an index pin 45 of head 37 to halttravel of distributor 31 at each cup position to permit the release of asingle tenpin to such cup. As a tenpin is delivered to a spotting cup24a, a trip lever mechanism 41 in distributor head 40 is actuated whichclears distributor head 37 for travel to the next spotting cup. Sincethe ten spotting cups 240 are in triangular array, track 38 istriangularly shaped; hence, distributor 31 is designed for telescopingaction to allow its head 37 to release pins at the various cups 24a. Themeans for driving the distributor apparatus 3 1 and the structuraldetails thereof including its head 37 are fully described in theaforesaid AMP manuals. In accordance with the present state of the art,distribution of tenpins always start at the No. 7 spotting cup andcontinues with the sequence of pins 4-2-] 3-61 0958. A counter 42 ismounted on the framework of distributor 31. As the tenpins pass undercounter 42, they actuate a counter paddle 43 which works counter 42.Counter 42 provides a signal which allows elevator cam gate 32 to closeto prevent more than ten tenpins from dropping out of'elevator wheel 28for each phase of distribution of ten tenpins by the machine.

In addition, pinspotter 20 includes an electrical system which storesthe regulating signals for controlling the cycles of phases of operationwhich the pinspotter is required to undergo. Among its variouscomponents, the electrical system includes a stepper relay consisting ofsix levels of contacts wherein each contact has a zero position and tensteps. The relay contact circuits for the six levels are fully disclosedin the aforesaid Service Manual, pages 3.001-3.002 Rev. (1) 656. FIG. 7herein discloses only the sixth level 46 of the stepper relay contactsbecause only this portion of the pinspotter electrical circuit involvesthe invention claimed herein. For convenience, the referencenomenclatures designating the circuit elements in FIG. 7 are the sameused in the AMP Manual. This circuit shows the contacts when the machineis in zero position without any regulating signals applied and with afull set of pins in table 21 while distributor 31 is in Zero position.

The electrical circuit also includes three cam switches. A pair of theseswitches TA-l and TA-2 are on the table cam shaft and are controlled byone cam follower, the other cam switch SA is located on the sweep driveshaft. One revolution of table or sweep motor drive shaft will cause,respectively, one revolution of the table or sweep cam. Switch TA-1 isused in running of table 21 and a is not shown herein. Switch TA-2 isused in the stepper pulsing circuits. FIG. 7 shows a pair of TA-2contacts; normally open contacts (hereinafter no) are shown at 47 andnormally closed contacts (hereinafter nc) are shown at 48. The thirdswitch SA is used in operation of the sweep and is not shown herein. Thecam profiles for these switches and for a timer motor are shownschematically in FIG. 8.

When pinspotter 20 is ready for the first ball, the stepper relay is atzero, sweep 25 is in its up or zero position, table 21 is at its extremeup or zero position, and the back end of pinspotter 20 is running whichincludes carpet 27, distributor 31, the ball-lift and elevator wheel 28.Ten tenpins are on spot pattern 29 on the pin deck and ten tenpins arestored, one in each cup 24a. Distributor head 37 is at the No. 7 cupposition. The bowler rolls the ball which is stopped by cushion 26 andreturned to the bowler. Upon striking cushion 26, a start switch in theelectrical system is actuated which starts the cycle of operation. Sweep25 descends to guard position where it will rest until called upon tosweep the fallen tenpins. Meanwhile, a motor driven time delay, the camprofile thereof is shown schematically in FIG. 8 as Time Motor, is setin motion when the sweep reaches a predetermined position during descendtravel. After a given time delay, table 21 starts its first descent todetect standing tenpins. Ten respot cells indicate to the electricalsystem whether or not there are standing pins. If there are standingpins, the correlated respot cells mechanically grip and raise such pinsto a height sufiicient for sweep 25 to clear the alley of deadwood.Thereafter, sweep 25 returns to rest at its forward guard position toprevent damage by a ball prematurely bowled. Meanwhile, table 21continues its up movement and then starts another revolution, this timeto respot the tenpins gripped by its respotting cells. After table 21has arrived at up position for the second time, sweep 25 will also riseand stop in its up position. Pinspotter 20 is now prepared to receivethe second ball. The above-described sequence of the various pinspottercomponents are activated and controlled by the electrical system and, in

particular, by the stepper as it advances from step to step until itreaches step 7.

The conditions existing for the start of the second ball finds table 21and sweep 25 at zero or up positions and the stepper relay at step 7.Distributor head 37 is at position No. 7; there are ten tenpins in tablecups 24a and pin elevator 28, the ball-lift and carpet 27 are running.In the previously described operation, the pinspotter 20 detectedstanding tenpins, accordingly, distributor 31 remained at cup positionNo. 7 during such operation. The tenpins previously swept oh the alleyare stored in the pin elevator pockets ready for delivery to distributor31. The rolled ball is stopped by cushion 26 which closes the startingswitch and starts operation of the machine. Stepper moves through itssteps to step whereas, sweep 25 drops to guard position, and the ball isbeing returned to the bowler. When sweep 25 reaches predeterminedposition of travel, the motor driven time delay is set into motion whichdelays sweep 25 before it completes its cycle of operation, sweep 25then performs its sweeping operation and returns to its forward guardposition. When stepper reaches step 10, table 21 receives its spottingsignal. Spotting cups 24a swing downwardly to set a complete set oftenpins on the pin deck. As table 21 approaches the end of itsrevolution, sweep 25 rises to its up position and table 21 will stop atzero. In the meantime, all tenpins carried into pin elevator wheel 28are elevated to distributor 31 and singly distributed to the individualspotting cups 24a for use for the next frame of bowling play.

The foregoing operation is controlled by the electrical system whichalso includes four power relays and solenoids. The first is a relayPR-l. Relay coil PR-l is energized through the contacts of table camswitch TA-Z, a stepper relay contact and through normally open 6contacts 200 of relay PR-2 and alternately through switch SW5, seecircuit lines 50 and 51 of FIG. 7. Bus lines 52 and 53 in FIG. 7 providea 24 voltage D.C. supply to the circuit. Line 54 connects to bus line 52through contacts 47 of TA-Z. Line 55 connects to the interrupter of themain stepper and line 56 connects to the counter circuit. Whenconditions are right, the contacts of relay PR-l energize a solenoid foroperating pin elevator cam gate 32 which opens gate 32 to allow tenpinsto fall from elevator wheel 28 into distributor 31. The second relay PR2is energized through contacts 48 of switch TA-2, stepper relay contactsand switch contacts SW-4 no, see line 57, to provide a table spottingsignal. Relay coil PR-2 is held closed through circuit 58 involvingswitch contacts SW-S no and PR-2 no contacts 201, see line 58 The coilof the third relay PR-3 is not shown in FIG. 7, however, some of itsnormally opened and closed contacts are included in this circuit. Thisrelay involves foul cycle operation. The fourth relay coil PR-4 isenergized through switch contacts TA-2, the stepper relay contacts and aseries circuit of ten switch contacts SW-6 in line 59. Power relay PR4involves strike cycle operation. FIG. 7 illustrates normally opencontacts 202, 204 and normally closed contacts 203 of relay PR-4.

The circuit employs a distributor position switch SW4. Switch SW4 may bea pressure sensitive switch and is operatively responsive to check theposition of the distributor to permit spotting oi tenpins. A pin counterswitch SW-S is located on the bridge of distributor 31 and isoperatively associated with paddle 43, FIG. 1. Switch SW-5 has normallyopened and normally closed contacts in lines 51, 58, respectively. Thisswitch is actuated when the first tenpin drops into dis-tributor 31,passes paddle 43 to close line 51 and opens its contacts in line "58.Switch SW-S remains in this actuated status for nine additional tenpinspassing paddle 43 after which, the switch is de-actuated and line 51opens and the contacts in line 58 close. Consequently, after switch SW-5counts ten tenpins, it cuts 03h the pin feed to permit at somesubsequent time table 21 to spot the delivered tenpins to the alley pindeck. The pin switch SW-6 consists of ten switches, one per respottingcell, to perform strike detection and pin indication.

As seen hereinbefore, table operation for setting the tenpins on the pindeck is triggered when stepper relay arrives at step 10. When steppercontacts 10 are closed, power relay PR-2 is energized through contacts48, TA-2 nc (table 21 has not yet moved, hence contacts 48 are stillclosed), closed contacts 10 and SW-4 no contacts in line 57. SW-4 nc isclosed because distributor 31 is at the spotting cup No. 7. Relay PR-Zenergizes table 21 for spotting operation. Relay coil PR2 is held closedthrough line 58 which inclues SW5 no and PR2 no contacts 201, the lattercontacts are now closed because relay PR-2 is energized. The tablecommences its spotting operation by setting a set of pins on the alley.When table 21 arrives at 260 of its spotting operation, contacts 47,TA-2 no close and stepper advances to step 0. This energizes relay coilPR-l through contacts 47 and line 50; the contacts 200, PR-2 no in line50 are now closed because relay PR-2 is energized. This action opensgate 32 to activate pin feed. When the first tenpin is delivered,contacts SW-S no in line 51 close and will remain closed until a tenthpin is delivered, at which time these contacts open. Thus, power relayPR-1 remains energized for the feed of the remaining nine tenpinsthrough line 51. Operation of SW5 switch by the first tenpin opens itsnormally closed contacts in line 58 to de-energize power coil PR-2.

If at the time table 21 reaches 350 of its spotting operation and thefirst tenpin has not yet been delivered to distributor 31 and ifcontacts SW'5 in line 51 are still open, power relay PR-l is thenenergized through contacts 48 of TA-2 nc, stepper contacts 0 and thenormally opened contacts 200 of PR-2 of line 50; the latter are closedbecause the first pin has not yet been delivered. This circuit remainsclosed through stepper advancing to step contacts 2 which is across step0. When pins are finally delivered, the relay is energized through line51. With respect to TA-2 contacts 47, 48, it will be understood thatcontacts 47 are normally open except during table operation from 260 to350 wherein these contacts close. Contacts 48 are normally closed exceptduring operation from 260 to 350. A complete explanation of theforegoing operation is included in the aforesaid AMF Service Manual andis well known to persons skilled in the art.

With respect to strike operation, the ball when rolled hits cushion 26and actuates the cycle switch. Sweep 25 drops to protect the machine;table 21 descends, and when it finds no standing pins it will proceed tospotting operation, sweep 25 clears the alley, table 21 descends againand resets new pins. As table 21 starts up, it is filled with pins asdescribed hereinbefore. For first foul ball, the cycle of operation isactuated when the ball hits cushion 26, sweep 25 drops to protect themachine and then clears the alley of deadwood and standing pins. Table21 descends and sets a new set of pins and the machine indicates asecond ball as on a spare. For second foul ball, the machine operates asa second ball of a spare.

As noted hereinbefore, pinspotter 20 sets ten tenpins at a time. Thepurpose of the invention claimed herein is to modify the describedpinspotter so that it automatically sets any number of pins, 1 to 10, inquantity and in any predetermined combination of positions on the alleydeck. Four modifications are required to effect this object. The firstmodification involves a structural revision to distributor track 38whereby distributor head 37 is caused to stop only at preselectedspotting cups 24a. Inu accordance with the prior art, ten fixed stoppers40, one for each spotting cup, are casted on the outer side of track 38,see FIG. 2. Stoppers 40 halt the moving distributor head 37 atindividual cups 24a to permit the discharge of a tenpin into each cup.As the tenpins leave distributor head 37, it passes over a pivotal triplever 59 which is mechanically linked to lever means 41. This actionmomentarily depresses trip lever 59 which lifts means 41 and theattached head pin 45 which otherwise engages the stopper. Upwardmovement of pin 45 releases distributor head 37 for travel to the nextstopper. A return spring, not shown, causes trip lever 59 to return toits initial position, whereby pin 45 lowers to abut against the nextstopper.

In accordance with the improvements claimed herein, track 38 is providedwith ten stoppers 60, each pivotally supported by a hinge pin 61 fromthe underside of track 38. Stoppers 60 are suitably spaced along track38 so as to be operatively associated with individual ones of the tenspotting cups 24a. Each stopper 60 may be pivoted from one to another oftwo positions and clamped in such position by an abutment wall 62 and adepressible spring latch pin 63, as depicted in FIGS. 3 to 6. Wall 62 issuitably shaped in the casting of the track underside. Stoppers 6t) maybe repositioned manually by depressing its latch pin 63 into the trackstructure. By reason of the foregoing arrangement, the movingdistributor head 37 will bypass all the withdrawn stoppers 60 locked inin position and will be halted by all protruding stoppers 60 locked inout position. A tenpin will drop into the individual spotting cups 24aoperatively associated with all such protruding stoppers 60.

Accordingly, if a regulation tenpin game is contemplated, all tenstoppers 60 are locked in out position as depicted in solid outline inFIG. 4. However, when a player desires spare practice, all stoppers 60are withdrawn and locked in in position as depicted in dotted outline inFIG. 6, except those stoppers selected for loading the desired sparetenpins. This disclosure illustrates manual adjustments of pivotalstoppers 60. It will be understood that such adjustments may becontrolled by ten electrical solenoids so that positional adjustmentsmay be made from a remote distance. For such such an arrangement, springlatch pins 63 may not be necessary.

In addition to the foregoing structural changes, each stopper 60 isprovided with a ramp 64. Ramp 64 may be an integral part of stopper 60and is located to engage index pin 45 whenever head 37 is stopped by anoutwardly projecting stopper 60. Ramp 64 has an upwardly inclinedsurface 65. The purpose of ramp 64 will be seen hereinafter. However, itwill be understood that every time a stopper halts index head 37, pin 45rides up ramp face 65 to lift trip lever means 41 a small distance. Head37 is halted because pin 45 is stopped by a wall 66 formed on stopper60.

The remaining three modifications in accordance with the improvementsclaimed herein involve changes to the sixth level of the pinspotterelectrical circuit and, in particular, require the use of the circuitillustrated in FIG. 9 in lieu of the sixth level stepper circuit shownin FIG. 7. Since the new circuit of FIG. 9 retains the use of the samesixth level stepper contacts, these contacts are identified by referenceNo. in FIGS. 7 and 9. Portions of the sixth level contacts are also seenin FIGS. 10 and 13. Each of the modifications will be describedseparately. The first modification involves a change in the power relaycircuit PR-l so that (l) the elevator cam gate 32 opens wheneverdistributor head 37 is stopped and a tenpin is called for, and (2) theelevator cam gate 32 closes after sending out just one tenpin. As notedhereinbefore, when power relay PR-1 is energized, it actuates anelevator cam solenoid to open gate 32 whereby ten tenpins are releasedto distributor 31. Relay PR-l is energized when table 21 reaches its 260position in its respotting operation after setting a set of ten tenpinson the floor. Relay PR-l is de-energized after ten tenpins pass throughpin counter 42. In accordance with the modification, power relay PR-l isenergized when table 21 reaches its 260 position after setting a desiredset of tenpins on the alley pin deck, but this relay is now de-energizedafter just one tenpin passes pin counter 42. The relay will be energizedagain when distributor head 37 is stopped at the next outwardlyprotruding stopper 6 0 and again dc-energized just after another singletenpin passes through pin counter 42 This sequence of operation will berepeated for each outwardly protruding stopped 60 along track 38, exceptafter the desired set of tenpins are distributed and head 37 returns tothe first stopper where the foregoing distribution was initiated, powerrelay PR-l is not energized and will not be energized until after theset of desired pins are set on the alley floor.

The portion of the circuit in FIG. 9 effecting the fore goingmodification is contained in the dotted outline 6 7. For convenience,FIG. 10 shows only that portion of the circuit encompassing theforegoing modification. Circuit 67 includes a distributor head switchSWDE provided with contacts 205, 206 in lines 68 and 69 respectively,which contacts are normally closed when distributor head 37 is stoppedby the stopper 60. Switch SWDE may be mounted on the side of thedistributor head casting and is actuated whenever index pin 45 rides upramp surface 65. For example, when distributor head 37 is stopped by astopper 60, ramp 64 as noted hereinbefore will push index pin 45slightly up. This small movement will move the trip lever assembly 41 acorresponding amount, which movement by any convenient linkage meanswill close the contacts of switch SWDE. However, it will be understoodthat after a tenpin passes over the pivotal trip lever 59, switch SWDEopens. This action will also lift pin 45 above the stopper to clear head37 for travel to the next outwardly protruding stopper. Consequently, itwill be understood that SWDE switch is closed only when index pin 45 isengaged by ramp surface 65, i.e. stopped by a stopper.

A second switch SWPG is a pin gate switch with contacts in line 68,which contacts are adapted to close when counter paddle 43 is moved upby a tenpin and adapted to open when paddle 43 returns down after saidtenpin passes the paddle. Switch SWPG may be located on the distributorbridge where the present SW-S switch is now mounted. Line 68 alsoincludes a power relay PRA with normally opened contacts 70 across thecontacts of switch SWPG and with normally closed contacts 71 in line 69.Relay PRA is activated when the pin gate switch SWPG is closed. Contacts70 hold the coil of relay PRA energized. Relay PRA remains in operationuntil distributor head switch SWDE is opened by the tenpin whichactuated the pin gate switch SWPG. Accordingly, power relay PRA contacts70 (no), 71 (nc) are closed and opened, respectively, during the time atenpin is on distributor 31 past paddle 43 and until such pin tripslever 59. Relay PRA has another set of contacts 71a (nc) shown in FIGS.13 and 9. Line 69 also includes pin counter off-normal contacts 72 of apincounter stepper, which contacts are closed after the first tenpinpasses counter paddle 43. Contacts 72 open when all the desired numberof pins pass counter paddle 43. An explanation of the counter stepperand its contacts appear in the description of the next modification. Thenormally closed contacts of relay PRA and switch SWDE in line 69 arebridged by a selector switch 73, which switch is set in normal positionwhen the customary tenpin game is to be bowled and which is set in spareposition when selected pins for spare practice are desired. Theaforesaid normally closed contacts are operative when selector switch 73is in spare position and shorted out when selector switch 73 is innormal position.

As noted hereinbefore, when table 21 is ready to receive tenpins, powerrelay PR-l is energized through contacts 47 and line 50. As soon as thefirst pin passes counter paddle 43, contacts PR-2 no in line 50 open andthe pin counter off-normal contacts 72 close. If selector switch 73 isset on normal, PR-1 relay coil will remain energized until pin countercit-normal contacts 72 open. If selector switch 73 is set on spa-re,PR-l relay coil will remain energized when PRA power relay is notenergized and SWDE switch is closed, that is to say, while distributorhead 37 is stopped by a stopper and before a tenpin lifts counter paddle43. The latter action will actuate relay PRA and thus willopen contacts71. Hence, in spare operation, PR-1 is energized to feed only one pinfrom the elevator wheel 28 to the distributor 31 for each outwardlyprojecting stopper 60 because when the single pin so fed passes paddle43 it opens switch contacts 71 to 'de-actuate relay PR-l which closescam gate 32. After the desired number of spare tenpins are distributed,distributor head 37 will reach the stopper from which it started sparedistribution. action will close the SWDE switch contacts in series withthe closed PRA contacts 71 in line 69. However, pin counter off-normalcontacts 72 are now open to prevent further energization of power relayPR-l. This will halt i-unther distribution of pins from elevator 28.'If, for any reason or by accident, counter paddle 43 is lifted, powerrelay PRA will become energized and will stay in operation indefinitely.A PRA manual breaker 74 is provided in line 68 to break the circuit insuch a situation. If PRA contacts 71 and the normally closed SWDEcontacts in line 69 are placed in series with the elevator cam gatesolenoid 75 and bridged by selector switch 73 as shown in FIG. 11instead of being placed in the PR-l circuit as shown in FIG. 10,operation of cam gate 32 will be identical to that describedhereinbefore for FIG. 10.

The second modification involves a change of operation of the pincounter switch SW-S. In FIG. 7 operation, switch SW- operates after thefirst tenpin actuates pin counter 42, whereby its normally closedcontacts in line 58 open and its normally open contacts in line 51close. Switch SW-S returns to normal status after ten tenpins 10 arecounted. The pin counter switch is now arranged whereby it is actuatedwhen the first pin of the desired set act-uates counter paddle 43 and isde-actuated after tenpins of preselected number, one to ten, arecounted. The modification involves the portion of circuit 76 withindashed lines in FIG. 9. For convenience, only circuit 76 is illustratedin FIG. 12. Circuit 76 introduces a difierent kind of pin counter,whereby a set of normally open contacts 72 and normally closed contacts77 (FIG. 13) are closed and opened, respectively, when a first tenpinpasses counter paddle 43 and deactuated when said preselected number oftenpins have passed counter paddle 43. Cont-acts 72 in FIG. 12 are thesame set of contacts 72 illustrated in FIG. 10 and this is evident trornan examination of FIG. 9'. Contacts 77 are shown in FIG. 9 and again inthe modification circuit illustnated in FIG. 13. Circuit 76 includes acounter stepper relay 78 which is the same kind of stepper currentlyused in pinspotter 20. Stepper coil 78 is energized to step its wiperfrom one step to the next each time switch contacts SWPG in line 79 openafter being closed and this occurs each time a tenpin actuates paddlecounter 43. Only one level of stepper contacts 80 are needed and thewiper thereof may be a bridging or nonbridging type. Counter stepper 78also has operatively associated interrupter contacts 81 and operativelyassociated pin counter off-normal and pin counter on-normal contacts 72,77, respectively. The interrupter contacts 81 are used to reset counterstepper 78 and 80 to its zero position when the contacts 82 of a powerrelay PRB are closed or when a manual reset switch 83 is closed. Pincounter ofi-nonmal contacts 72 are closed when the stepper wiper is notin its zero position. Pin counter on-norrnal contacts 77 are closed whenthe stepper wiper is in its zero position. A pin number indicator 84 isa manual setting ten position switch, and the setting of this switchdetermines the total number of tenpins desired to be spotted on thealley floor. A power relay PRB is connected to switch 84 and isenergized when the counter stepper wiper reaches the contactcorresponding to the switch setting of pin number indicator 84. RelayPRB is -de-enerigized when counter stepper resets to its zero positionand pin counter cit-normal contacts 72 return to normal open. Manualresetting switch 83 when pressed will reset the counter stepper 78 and80 to zero position.

Operation of circuit 76 is as follows. At the start, the stepper wiperis at step 0 of contacts 80. Switch 84 is set to the quantity of tenpinsdesired and is shown set at position 3 assuming for this example theplayer wishes to practice against three spare tenpins, such as pins 1, 3and 10. Accordingly, machine 20 will operate to deliver three tenpinsindividually as determined by the fact that the correlated stoppers 60for the pin positions 1, 3 and 10 are set in outwardly projectingposition whereas all other stoppers on track 38 are withdrawn so thatonly the proper spotting cups 24a each receive one of the three pins.When the first pin passes counter paddle 43, counter stepper wiper stepsfrom step 0 to step 1 since its coil 78 is energized through line 79.This closes pin counter off-normal contacts 72 and opens pin counter onnormal contacts 77, see FIG. 13. With the delivery of the second pin,stepper wiper moves from step 1 to step 2. The stepper will step onestep at a time upon each pin actuating counter paddle 43. Accordingly,when the third pin passes paddle 43, stepper wiper closes contact 3 atwhich time power relay PRB is energized through switch arm 84, theclosed contacts 3 of stepper contacts 80 and closed contacts 72. Powerrelay PRB is held in operation through its normally opened contacts 82a(now closed) and contacts 72. Contacts 82a bridge stepper contacts 80'.When relay PRB is energized, counter stepper 78 and 80 is reset to itszero position through contacts 72, the normally opened contacts 82,which are now closed, and the interrupter contacts 81 to coil 78 of thecounter stepper in line 79. The normally closed interrupter contacts 81are operated by the stepper relay to open momentarily to cause thestepper wiper to advance from one step to the next. Hence, when itswiper reaches contacts 3, stepper relay 78 is pulsed through closedcontacts 81, 82 to advance the stepper wiper to contacts 4. When thewiper advances to contacts 4, interrupter contacts return to normallyclosed position to initiate stepping to contacts 5. In this fashion, thestepper very quickly advances to step 10 and then to the next step.Since the stepper relay is the rotary type, the step following step 10is zero position, at which time stepper wiper arm engages step contacts0.

When the counter stepper reaches zero position, pin counter off-normalcontacts 72 open to de-energize relay PRB and which also stops furtherstepping. Concurrently, switch contacts 77 close. It will be understoodthat pin counter off-normal contacts 72 essentially perform thefunctions of the normally open switch contacts SW- in line 51 of theprior art circuit, FIG. 7, and onnormal contacts 77 essentially performthe functions of the normally closed contacts of switch SW-S in line 58of the prior art circuit depicted in FIG. 7.

The last modification to the electrical circuit involves a change in thecircuit of the distributor position switch SW-4 such that the circuitopens when the first tenpin goes under counter paddle 43 and closes whendistributor head 37 reaches the position where it started distributionof a given set of tenpins. As noted hereinbefore, distributor positionswitch SW-4 is a pressure switch which is closed when distributor head37 is held at its starting position corresponding to pin position No. 7.Switch SW-4 is in the circuit of relay PR-2 which triggers tablespotting operation when stepper relay reaches step and the distributoris at pin position 7 and a desired set of tenpins are already in thetable assembly and ready for release to the alley floor. With respect tospare operation in accordance with the practice of the invention claimedherein, it will be understood that distribution of one or more tenpinsto cups 24a will not necessarily start at pin position 7. In the exampleof practicing against spare pins 1, 3 and 10, the cups 24a are filled inthe sequence of 1, 3 and 10 and thus distri bution will start at thestopper 60 corresponding to pin position 1. Consequently, thismodification is designed to change the SW-4 circuit so that thespot-solenoid control power relay PR2 will be energized to effect thisnew mode of operation. The circuit 85 involving the change is shown indotted outline in FIG. 13 and appears in the circuit of FIG. 9 at thebottom thereof. Circuit 85 includes a selector switch 73 which may beganged with selector switch 73 in circuit 67. When the selector switch73 in circuit 85 is in normal position, it connects step 10. contacts ofthe sixth level stepper relay circuit with normally closed contacts SW-4and pin counter onnormal contacts 77 to power relay coil PR-Z, wherebythe coil is energized when distributor head 37 is held at No. 7 pinposition along track 38.

When selector switch 73 in circuit 85 is set in spare position, relaycoil PR-2 will be energized when distributor head 37 reaches theposition at which it initiated the distribution of a preselected numberof pins numbering from one to ten, in number. In the foregoing sparepractice, for example pins 13l0, the starting position corresponds topin 1. Pin counter on-normal contacts 77 will hold the circuit of powerrelay PR-2 open until after the last pin of the given set of pins passescounter paddle 43. After pin counter on-normal contacts 77 close andbefore the last pin of a given set that is being distributed in a tablecup 24a reaches the index arm trip lever 59 to. open SWDE contacts, thenormally closed contacts 7111 (FIG. 13) of power relay PRA are openthereby maintaining the circuit for PR-2 open. When contacts 71a close,the SWDE contacts 207 in series therewith are already open, therefore,until SWDE contacts in series therewith are closed again by the stopperfrom which distribution is started, power relay PR-2 will not beactuated.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 for operation of the modified sixthlevel circuit of the stepper relay. In the first place, it will beunderstood that the invention does not require any change to thedistributorper se or its mode of operation. Consequently, distributor 31will travel along track 38 along the same pin position sequence as itdoes in the current machine, regardless whether the circuit is set fornormal or spare operation. When set for normal operation, the FIG. 9circuit operation is substantially the same for the FIG. 7 circuit. Forexample, when the stepper advances to step 10, relay PR-Z is energizedthrough contacts 48, stepper contacts 10, switch 73, the switch armsthereof are in normal position, and thus through closed contacts SW-4,and contacts 77. This starts table spotting operation. Relay coil PR-Zis held closed through line 58. When table 21 reaches 260 spottingposition, the stepper advances to step zero and contacts 47 now close toenergize gate relay PR1 through line 50. The open contacts 200 of PR-Zin line 50 at this time are closed. This starts pin feed. PR-l is heldclosed through line 69, the bridging circuit of switch 73 and the closedcontacts 72 which close because stepper counter 78 advanced from zerostep to complete pin feed.

For spare operation, selected stoppers 60 are individually positioned inor out positions in accordance with the pins to be played against.Distributor head 37 is moved to the first out stopper in accordance withthe sequence of travel for distributor 31, if the first out stopper isnot for the No. 7 pin. Switch 84 is set accordingly. Assume the machineis set for spares l, 3 and 10, as noted hereinbefore. Consequently,switch 84 is set at the No. 3 contacts of counter contacts 80. Switches73 are set to spare position. Relay coil PR-2 is energized when thestepper relay (contacts 90) reaches the tenth step through closedcontacts SWDE and PRA in the lower one of selector switches 73 (circuitRelay PR-2 is held in operation by line 58. When table 21 reaches 260position of its spotting operation, the stepper relay (contacts advancesto step zero; contacts 47 close to energize gate control relay PR-lthrough line 50 to release the first pin of the set of three todistributor 31. When this tenpin hits counter paddle 43, contacts 71 inline 69 open and counter stepper 78 is triggered through line 79 toadvance its wiper to step one. This action also opens contacts 77 tobreak the circuit for relay PR-2 which opens its contacts in line 50with the result that no more pins are fed to distributor 31. This actionalso closes contacts 72. As the aforesaid first pin leaves distributor31, it drops lever 59 to release switch SWDE and to clear distributor 31to advance to the next stopper 60 where distributor 31 halts at pinposition No. 3. Contacts 71 return to normally closed when SWDE isrleased. This action now closes switch contacts SWDE in series withclosed contacts 71 in line 69 to trigger relay PR-l for the release ofthe second tenpin. PR-l remains energized for a short period of time,that is, until this second tenpin hits counter paddle 43 at which timecontacts 71 open to prevent the release of further pins from elevator28. When counter paddle 43 is hit, counter stepper 78 is triggered toadvance to its second step. As the second pin drops into pin positionNo. 3, it clears distributor head 37 to advance distributor 31 to pinposition spot No. 10; When distributor head 37 arrives at this stopper,line 69 is again closed momentarily to trigger relay PR-l for the feedof one more pin to distributor 31; relay PR-l is again dc-energized assoon as the third pin hits paddle 43. This action also advances counterstepper 78 to No. 3 position, which matches the position of switch 84.Interrupter 81 now quickly advances stepper 78 and 80 to its zero orstart position. As the third pin drops into its cup, it releasesdistributor head 37 to permit distributor 31 to return to its initial orstart 13 position of the foregoing distribution of a set of threetenpins which is the pin position No. 1. Since distributor 31 has tomake a lengthy travel, counter stepper 78 and 80 will have reached zeroposition before distributor head 37 reaches its start position. Whenstepper returns to zero position, pin counter contacts 72 return tonormal open which prevents further energization of power relay PR-1.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that there are basically fivesteps to perform to a pinspotter incorporating the aforesaidmodifications before a spare practice game may be played. First,stoppers 60 on distributor track 38 must be set individually inoutwardly position to correspond to the tenpin positions desired forspare practice. All other stoppers 60 along track 38 must be withdrawn.Second, pin number indicator 84 is set to its numbered terminalcorresponding to the total number of pins to be played. Third, selectorswitches 73 are set to spare position. If normal play is required, it ispreferable to set switches 73 to normal position. Switches 73 may beleft on spare position for normal tenpin play, however, distribution oftenpins will take a longer time. Fourth, distributor head 37 ispositioned to start distribution of the set of spare pins at the firstout stopper 60 along track 38 in accordance with the normal sequence ofdistributor travel along said track. Fifth, pinspotter 20 is operated tosweep the alley deck of any wood on the floor if the standing pinsalready on the floor do not represent the combination required forspa-re" play. The first set of pins spotted by machine 20 may not be thecombination required or desired simply because a set of pins may havealready been distributed into the pin cups before the foregoingdescribed.

operation for spare play is put into effect. If this is the case,machine 20 should again be operated to sweep the floor. After machine 20sets the desired set of spare tenpins on the alley floor, it is readyfor the first ball throw. If the first ball knocks all pins down, themachine will operate as if a strike ball was thrown and in accordancewith its current operation, machine 20 will spot a new set of sparetenpins of the aforesaid desired combination on the alley floor. On theother hand, should the bowler fail to knock down all the tenpinsconstituting the spare combination, machine 20 will carry out first ballcycle operation whereby it picks up the standing pins, sweeps away thedeadwood and respots the standing pins for second ball throw. Aftersecond ball throw, machine 20 undergoes second ball cycle operation tospot a new set of spare tenpins of the aforesaid combination on thealley floor. Consequently, except for the spotting of a desiredcombination of one to ten tenpins for spare practice, the machineotherwise undergoes the same operations it currently follows, such asfirst ball cycle, second ball cycle or strike cycle, etc. Theseoperations are fully disclosed in the aforesaid AMF references.

FIG. 14 illustrates the embodiment of a mechanical counter 91 which maybe used in lieu of the relay counter stepper 78 and 80 for the purposeof controlling the operation of off-normal contacts 72 and on-normalcontacts 77. If mechanical counter 91 of FIG. 14 is used,

the entire circuit 76, FIG. 12, may be withdrawn from the circuit ofFIG. 9. Counter 91 has a pivotal counter driver 92 adapted to swingclockwise about a fixed pivot 93 each time counter paddle 43 is actuatedupwardly by .a tenpin passing same. Driver 92 returns counter-clock-.wise to the illustrated position when paddle 43 drops to its downposition. To obtain synchronous movement of driver 92 and paddle 43, thelatter is mechanically linked .to the former as depicted by dash line94.

A movable toothed rack 95 is provided with a plurality of equally spacedteeth 96. Each tooth 96 is adapted to be engaged individually by thelower hooked end 92a of driver 92, whereby each time driver 92 swingsclockwise, rack 95 is advanced the distance of one tooth pitch to theleft. This also clears driver 92 to return counter-clockwise to hookinto the next tooth 96 of the plurality. Rack 95 is also provided with ahorizontal keyway 97. An indicator member 98 has a base 99 adapted toregister slidably in keyway 97 for positioning member 98 along thekeyway. There are at least ten threaded holes 100 along keyway 97wherein each hole 100 corresponds to a correlated tooth 96. Member 98has a thumb screw 10 1 which is adapted to engage threadedly any one ofthe holes 100 to secure member 98 in fixed position with respect to aselected one of the rack teeth 96. Rack 95 is slidably supported formovement to the left and right in a track 102 of a base 103. A pivotalreturn pawl 104 is supported to swing about a fixed axis 105 against areturn tension spring 106. C-ountercloclcwi-se swing of pawl 104 islimited by a stop 107. Pawl 104 has a lower end adapted to engage theupright rear wall of the individual teeth 96 to prevent return travel ofrack 95 to the right under the force of a return tension spring 106.Indicator member 98 also has a horizontal extension 107 projecting overteeth 96. Upon stepped travel of rack 95 to the left, extension 107ultimately will engage pawl 104 and raise same clockwise to clear teeth96. This action will clear rack 95 for return travel to the right. Acatcher pawl 108 is pivoted about a fixed axis 109 to form a twoarmmember, the lower end of which 110 is hooked to engage and hold pawl.104 when the latter is kicked up by extension 107. The upper end ofpawl "108 is spring biased by a tension spring 111. Spring 111 pulls theupper end of pawl 108 to the left to urge same counter-clockwise aroundits pivot, which action will hold pawl 104 in upper hooked position whenthe latter is engaged by pawl 108. A guide arm 112 has one end pivotallyconnected to the upper end of pawl 108. The opposite end of guide arm112 is hooked at 113 about a convenient extension of rack 95, wherebymovement of rack 95 to the right pulls arm 1'12 therewith to the right.Movement of arm 112 to the left and right is limited by a slot and pincombination at 114.

When rack 95 is in the position shown in FIG. 14, it corresponds to zeroposition, i.e. the zero position for counter stepper 78 and 80 ofcircuit 76. In this position, rack 95 is stopped against stop wall 115of base 103. Slider member 98 is fastened along keyway 97 at a numberedtooth which corresponds to the total quantity of tenpins to be countedout by the elf-normal and on-normal pin counters 72, 77 and is shown inthe figure set at No. 5 position. Hence, the spare operation will countout five pins to be set on the alley fioor. In operation, when the firsttenpin passes paddle counter 43, counter driver 92 is driven clockwiseso that its lower end 92a engages a tooth 96 to advance rack 95 theequivalent of one pitch whereupon driver 92 returns to its initial downposition with return movement of paddle counter 43. This same action isrepeated for the next four tenpins. It will be understood that rack 95is driven by member 92 the equivalent of one tooth pitch by each tenpin.The last pin of the group advances slider member 98 to a position wherekicker extension 107 engages pawl 104 to lift same upwardly clockwisewhich clears rack 95 for return movement to the right. When pawl 104swings up, it is hooked and held by catcher r108 as rack 95 quicklycompletes return movement to zero position under the force of spring106. Return movement of rack 95 pulls arm 112 to the right which motionis limited by pin-slot 114. When rack 95 returns to zero position, itwill impart sufficient clockwise turning to arm 108 to release pawl 104and the latter returns counter-clockwise under the pull of spring 116.Rack 95 is provided with an insulator switch extension 118 whichsupports on-normal pin counter switch 77 and off-normal pin counterswitch 72. It is seen from FIG. 14 that for zero position, switch 77 isclosed and for all other positions this switch is open. Switch 72includes a conductor member 119 connected to one lead Wire X andsupported by an insulator 120, whereby conductor 119 slidably engages aconductive terminal 121 for all positions of rack 95 other than zeroposition with the result that switch 72 is open for zero. position andotherwise closed. Terminal 121 is connected to the other lead wire X.When mechanical counter 91 is used, the switch contacts 72, 77 in FIG. 9are removed and lead wires X--X and YY of FIG. 9 connect to the similardesignated wires of FIG. 14. Switch 77 has a switch arm K122 and makeand break contacts 123a, b each connected to a lead wire Y. Mechanicalcounter 91 may be located in any convenient place in the structure ofpinspotter 20.

The stopper embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 contemplatesadjustable stoppers 60 attached to the underside of track 38 toaccommodate operating AMF pinspotters for spare practice play. In therecent models of the AMF pinspotter, track 38 no longer employs stops 40(see FIG. 2). Therefore, the distributor index head 37 no longerincludes an index pin 45 for stopping distributor 31 at each table cupposition along the track. For the purpose of using the 1959 model of theAMF pinspotter for spare practice play, it is still required thatdistributor 31 stop only at the selected table cups where a sparepractice pin is called for and b-y-passing the other table cups. In the1959 pinspotter model, see FIG. 16, index head 37 has gear and rollermeans 39', 39a operatively engaging track 38' in the same manner asdescribed hereinbefore. However, gear means 39' is an integral part of adrive gear assembly 130 to turn therewith. Drive gear assembly 130 has astop arm extension 131 turning therewith. The table cups in the 1959model are arranged with respect to track 38 so that gear assembly stoparm 131 engages a movable trip arm assembly 132 on head 37 once for eachrevolution of gear turning. Consequently, it is understood that fornormal tenpin operation of the 1959 pinspotter model, every time drivegear assembly 130 makes one revolution, its stop arm 1'31 abuts againsttrip arm assembly 132 to halt distributor 31 at i3. correlated tablecup. Trip arm assembly 132 is mechanically linked to pivotal trip lever59. Each time a tenpin drops into a table cup from the stoppeddistributor 31, the tenpin actuates lever 59 as in the prior disclosedembodiment. This action raises the mechanically linked trip arm assembly132 to clear gear stop arm 131 for turning one full revolution of geardrive assembly 130, whereby distributor 31 proceeds to the next tablecup along track 38' and is stopped thereat.

In order to regulate the 1959 pinspotter model to stop only at selectedcups, index pin 45 is returned to distributor head 37' as shown in FIG.16. Index pin 45 is now mechanically linked by member 133 to trip armassembly 132 so that upward movement of index pin 45 raises trip armassembly 132 to clear the drive gear stop arm 131 to permit distributor31 to by-pass the particular table cup. Index pin 45 is tripped by atripper 134, see FIG. 17. Ten trippers 134 are mounted along theunderside of track 38' to swing in and out and each are adapted to beheld in one or the other of such positions in the same manner asdepicted in FIGS. 3 to 6. However, in this embodiment, each tripper 134has an inclined cam surface 135 without any rear stop wall. Each tripperis positioned with respect to a correlated table cup so that when atripper 134 is in out position, index pin 45 rides upwardly alonginclined surface 135 to raise member 133 which raises trip arm assembly132 just before the turning gear stop arm 131 would be engaged by thetrip arm assembly 132. This action clears stop arm 131 to continue itsturning without being stopped. When pin 45 passes over the rear edge oftripper surface 135, both pin 45 and trip arm assembly 132 drop to theirlower positions. Consequently, distributor 31 is not halted at any tablecup whenever its correlated tripper is in out position, whereby thedistributor by-passes to proceed to the next table cup. Theforegoingaction contemplates selecting a suitable length for theinclined tripper surface 135 whereby, pin 45 drops from the rear edge ofsurface only after stop arm 131 will have rotated past trip arm assembly132 so that the latter does not engage stop arm 131 to halt same. Ifdesired, a horizontal platform 135a may be provided to extend integrallyfrom the rear of tripper 134. Platform 135a will hold pin 45 and triparm assembly 132 in up position until after stop arm 131 rides past triparm assembly 132 to assure that arm 131 will have traveled completelybeyond assembly 132 by the time the latter is permitted to drop. When atripper 134 is withdrawn to avoid actuating index pin 45, normaloperation takes place wherein distributor 31 halts at the selected tablecup. In effecting the above operation, it will be understood that eachtripper 134 is properly located along track 38 so that the index pin 45is actuated by the out tripper before stop arm 131 would normally engagetrip arm assembly 132. In accordance with the invention, trip armassembly 132 is actuated either by pin 45 acted upon by an out tripper134 or by lever 59 acted upon by a distributed tenpin.

It will also be preferable to mount the distributor head switch SWDE onthe trip arm assembly casting 132 so that each time gear stop arm 131engages trip arm assembly 132 to halt distributor 31 at a selected cup,a SWDE switch operator 136 is actuated to close its three switchcontacts. SWDE switch operator 136 depends from switch SWDE and whenoperator 136 is engaged by stop arm 131, it is actuated to close itsswitch contacts. On the other hand, when trip arm assembly 132 is liftedby a tripper, the turning stop arm 131 passes under switch operator 136without actuating same. Consequently, it will be understood that whendistributor 31 is permitted to by-pass a correlated table cup, switchSWDE is not actuated whereby its three switch contacts remain open.

The electrical circuit modifications shown in FIG. 9 are also applicableto the 1959 pinspotter model, since electrically the old and newpinspotters are substantially the same. For comparing the disclosures ofthe track and distributor head for the old and new models of the AMPmodels, reference is made to the aforesaid AMF Instruction and ServiceManual pages 5023 Rev. (3) 956; 5.024 Rev. (3) 9-56, et seq. for theembodiment contemplated in FIG. 3; and page 5.023 Rev. (4) l'59; 5.024Rev. (4) 159, et seq. for the embodiment contemplated in FIG. 16.Similarly, reference to pages 3.001; 3.002 Rev. (1) 6- 56, et seq.; and3.001 Rev. (4) 459; 3.002 Rev. (5) 4-59 et seq. will permit a comparisonof their respective electrical circuits.

It is intended that all matter contained in the above description orshown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatic pinspotter for spotting a given set of one or moretenpins on a bowling alley floor, table means operable over said alleyfloor and having a predetermined number of spotting cups for receivingsaid tenpins and spotting same on said floor, each cup being adapted toreceive an individual tenpin and to spot same on said floor, a guidetrack carried by said table and being operatively associated with saidcups, distributor means for traveling along said track and adapted tostop adjacent each cup for releasing an individual tenpin thereto, meansfor feeding said tenpins one at a time to said distributor, circuitmeans for selectively and momentarily actuating and then de-actuatingsaid tenpin feeding means to release a predetermined number of tenpinsof 1 to 9 in quantity as a given set to said distributor, and meansoperatively associating said track and distributor and causing saiddistributor to stop at selected ones of said cups for depositing atenpin therein, said distributor otherwise by-passing all other tablecups, whereby a set of pins of said predetermined number and of selectedspot position are set on said floor.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said cir- 17 cuit meanscomprises relay means for actuating said feeding means for releasingtenpins to said distributonand means for actuating said relay means whensaid distributor is halted at any individual one of said selected tablecups for releasing a single tenpin to said distributor and forde-actuating said relay means after the aforesaid single tenpin isreleased to said distributor, said single tenpin being deposited by saiddistributor into said individual table cup.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means tor operativelyassociating said track and distributor means includes adjustablestoppers along said track, each stopper being operatively associatedwith an individual one of said table cups, said stoppers beingadjustable for one or the other of two positions, the adjustment of anystopper in its first position halting the distributor thereat to permitthe release of an individual tenpin to the correlated table cup, theadjustment of any stopper to the other of its positions allowing saiddisrtibutor to by-pass same.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit means have asource of voltage for regulating operation of said pinspotter, saiddistributor means having an index head operatively engaging said guidetrack, relay means for actuating said feeding means for releasingtenpins to said distributor, a distributor switch having first andsecond sets of contacts which are closed when said distributor isstopped at selected ones of said table cups, said distributor switchcontacts otherwise being open, a counter switch having make and breakcontacts which are momentarily closed while said counter switch is beingactuated by a tenpin passing along said distributor, said meansoperatively associating said track and distributor including trip levermeans on said distributor head responsive to a tenpin actuating sameupon the release of such pin by said distributor to a table cup,actuation of said trip lever resulting in operation of said operativelyassociating means for releasing said distributor from one selected cupposition for travel to the next selected table cup position and also foropening said first and second sets of said distributor switch contacts,and second relay means having normally open and normally closedcontacts, said second relay means being energized by said source throughsaid first set of distributor switch contacts in series with saidcounter switch contacts, said normally open second relay contactsbridging said counter switch contacts and being actuated to close whensaid second relay means is energized to hold such relay means energizeduntil the first set of distributor switch contacts open,

said first relay means being energized by said source r through saidsecond set of distributor switch contacts in series with said normallyclosd second relay contacts, and said last-mentioned contacts openingwhen said second relay means is energized, said first relay means beingmomentarily energized to effect the release of a single tenpin to saiddistributor during the interval that said distributor switch contactsare closed and until such released tenpin actuates said counter switchcontacts to close same, said first relay means being then de-energizedto achieve the feed of such single tenpin to the selected table cup atwhich said distributor is stopped.

5. In an automatic pinspotter for spotting a given set of one or moretenpins on a bowling alley floor, table means operable over said alleyfloor and having a predetermined number of spotting cups, each cup beingadapted to receive an individual tenpin and to spot same on said floor,a guide track carried by said table and being operatively associatedwith said cups, distributor means for traveling along said track andadapted to stop adjacent each cup for releasing an individual tenpinthereto, means for feeding a predetermined number of tenpins of at leastone in quantity as a given set to said distributor, and meansoperatively associating said track and distributor and causing saiddistributor to stop at selected ones of said cups for depositing atenpin therein, said distributor otherwise by-passing all other tablecups, whereby a set of pins of said predetermined number and of selectedspot position are set on said floor, an electrical system having asource of voltage for regulating operation of said pinspotter and alsohaving relay means for actuating said feeding means for releasingtenpins to said distributor, said electrical system also including firstand second circuits for alternately connecting said relay means to saidsource, the first of said circuits including make and break contactswhich contacts are temporarily closed when said distributor is halted ata first cup position of a group of preselceted table cups constitutingthe given set of tenpins to be set on said alley floor by said table,said contacts opening upon the delivery of the first tenpin of saidgiven set to said distributor, said means operatively associating saidtrack and distributor permitting said distributor to move from saidfirst cup position to the next cup position of said preselected cupsafter the delivery of said first tenpin of said given set to said firstcup, means actuated through individual steps by individual ones of thetenpins released to said distributor for counting such tenpins andhaving responsive oft-normal contacts, said off-normal contacts beingclosed upon said counting means being actuated by the first tenpin ofsaid given set, said cit-normal contacts returning to open status uponsaid counting means being actuated by the last tenpin of said given set,said second circuit connecting said relay means to said source throughsaid off-normal contacts, whereby said relay means is adapted toenergize said feeding means for releasing tenpins to said distributorthrough said second circuit for all tenpins of a given set except thefirst tenpin thereof, and said second circuit being open upon the feedof the last tenpin of said set to said distributor.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 further including a pin counterswitch having make and break contacts which are momentarily closed byeach tenpin passing along said distributor, said counting meansincluding a counter stepper having a relay connected to said sourcethrough said pin counter switch contacts, said counter stepper having astepping wiper and operatively associated counter stepper cont-actsincluding zero position contacts and a series of contacts equal at leastin number to the greatest number of tenpins adapted to be spotted onsaid alley floor by said table, said stepper relay also havingoperatively associated interrupter contacts, said off-normal contactsbeing responsive to actuation of said counter stepper relay wherein saidoff-normal contacts are closed for all stepper wiper contact positionsexcept for its zero position, a pin number indicator switch adapted tomake series connection with individual ones of said counter steppercontacts, and second relay means having a relay coil connected to saidsource through said ofi-normal contacts and said pin number indicatorswitch when such switch .is positioned at a selected one of said steppercontacts, said pin number switch being connected to' a selected one ofsaid wiper contact positions corresponding to the total number oftenpins constituting said given set of tenpins, whereby said secondrelay means is actuated when said stepper wiper steps to its contactposition corresponding to the setting of said number switch, said secondrelay means having a pair of normally open contacts, the first of saidpair of contacts bridging said stepper contacts and being closed whensaid second relay means is actuated, the second of said pair of contactsbeing in series with said interrupter contacts to connect said counterstepper relay to said source upon said second relay being actuated, saidcounter stepper wiper being at zero position contacts prior to countingof tenpins passing along said distributor, the first tenpin of a givenset of tenpins being adapted to actuate said pin counter switch contactsfor actuating said stepper counter relay for stepping its stepper wiperfrom zero position contacts to the first position contacts of its seriesof contacts and also for closing said otf-normal contacts, the passageof subsequent tenpins constituting the remainder of said given set oftenpins individually energizing said stepper counter relay for steppingsaid wiper one step at a time to succeeding contact positions, wherebysaid stepper wiper advances to the stepper contacts corresponding to thesetting of said pin number indicator switch for energizing said secondrelay means, actuation of said second relay means allowing said stepperwiper contacts to proceed to zero position through connection of saidcounter stepper relay through said interrupter contacts at which timesaid off-normal contacts open to prevent tenpins greater in number thanthat constituting said given set being released to said distributor.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim wherein said counting means comprises amovable rack having a seires of teeth, driving means for engagingindividual ones of said teeth one at a time as individual ones of saidtenpins pass along said distributor for moving said rack from a firstposition by individual steps to a second position, means for returningsaid rack to said first position, stop means normally in register withsaid rack to prevent the return of same to its first position, said stopmeans also being adapted for movement to a clearance position forclearing said rack for return to its first position, catcher means foralternately holding said stop means in its clearance position and forreleasing said stop means to permit the return of same to its normalposition, means operatively responsive to movement of said rack foractuating said catcher means, and indicator means selectively positionedalong said rack in operative association with a correlated one of saidrack teeth corresponding to the total number of tenpins to be countedand constituting said given set of tenpins, said indicator means makingregister with stop means to move same to its clearance position aftersaid rack is stepped by said driver means in response to the last tenpinconstituting said given set being fed to said distributor, saidofi-normal contacts being regulated by said rack wherein said contactsare open when said rack is in its first position and said contacts areotherwise closed for all other positions of said rack.

8. In an automatic pinspotter for spotting a given set of one or moretenpins on a bowling alley floor, table means operable over said alleyfloor and having a predetermined number of spotting cups, each cup beingadapted to receive an individual tenpin and to spot same on said floor,a guide track carried by said table and being operatively associatedwith said cups, distributor means for traveling along said track andadapted to stop adjacent each cup for releasing an individual tenpinthereto, means for feeding a predetermined number of tenpins of at leastone in quantity as a given set to said distributor, and meansoperatively associating said track and distributor and causing saiddistributor to stop at selected ones of said cups for depositing atenpin therein, said distributor otherwise by-passing all other tablecups, whereby a set of pins of said predetermined number and of selectedspot position are set on said floor, an electrical system having asource of voltage, relay means for actauting said feeding means forreleasing tenpins to said distributor, a distributor switch having setsof contacts normally closed when said distributor is stopped at selectedones of said table cups constituting said given set of tenpins, saiddistributor switch contacts otherwise being open, second relay meansadapted for connection to said source through one set of saiddistributor switch contacts, said second relay means having normallyclosed contacts which open upon actuation of said second relay means,pin counter on-normal contacts, means actuated by the release of tenpinsto said distributor for opening said pin counter on-norm'al contacts inresponse to the release of the first tenpin of said given set to saiddistributor, third relay means adapted for connection to said sourcethrough said pin counter on-normal contacts in series with another setof distributor switch contacts and said normally closed second relaycontacts, said third relay means having normally open contacts whichcontacts close during actuation of said third relay means for connectingsaid relay means to said source to effect the release of tenpins to saiddistributor, whereby the release of the first tenpin opens said pincounter on-normal contacts to prevent further actuation of said firstrelay through said normally open contacts of said third relay means.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 further including trip lever means onsaid distributor, said trip lever means being actuated by each tenpinreleased by said distributor to a table cup for opening said distributorswitch contacts and for releasing said distributor from a stoppedposition adjacent one of said selected table cups for travel to anotherone of said selected table cups.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including adjustablestoppers along said track and being a part of said means operativelyassociating said track and distributor, each stopper being operativelyassociated with an individual one of said table cups, said stoppersbeing adjustable for one or the other of two positions, the adjustmentof any stopper in its first position halting the distributor thereat topermit the release of an individual tenpin to the correlated table cup,the adjustment of a stopper to its other position allowing saiddistributor to by-pass the correlated table cup.

11. In an automatic pinspotter for spotting a given set of one or moretenpins on a bowling alley floor, table means operable over said alleyfloor and having a predetermined number of spotting cups, each cup beingadapted to receive an individual tenpin and to spot same on said floor,a guide track carried by said table and being operatively associatedwith said cups, distributor means for traveling along said track andadapted to stop adjacent each cup for releasing an individual tenpinthereto, means for feeding a predetermined number of tenpins of at leastone in quantity as a given set to said distributor, and meansoperatively associating said track and distributor and causing saiddistributor to stop at selected ones of said cups for depositing atenpin therein, said distributor otherwise by-passing all other tablecups, whereby a set of pins of said predetermined number and of selectedspot position are set on said floor, an electrical circuit having asource of voltage, first relay means for actuating said feeding meansfor releasing tenpins to said distributor, a distributor switch havingcontacts which are closed when said distributor is stopped at anyselected one of said table cups, said distributor switch contactsotherwise being open, normally closed contacts in series with saiddistributor switch contacts, means for opening said normally closedcontacts when an individual tenpin is received by said distributor andfor returning said contacts to normally closed status when the aforesaidindividual tenpin is released by said distributor to a selected one ofsaid table cups, a second relay having a coil adapted for connection tosaid source through said series distributor switch contacts and normallyclosed contacts, a set of pin counter on-normal contacts, means actuatedby the release of the first of said tepins of said given set for openingsaid pin counter on-normal contacts and for returning said on-normalcontacts to normally closed status upon counting off the number oftenpins constituting said given set, said pin counter on-normal contactsalso being in series with said second relay means to connect same tosaid source, said second relay having normally open contacts which areclosed when said second relay means is energized, said first relay meansbeing connected to said source through said second relay contacts,whereby the positioning of said distributor at any individual one ofsaid selected table cups corresponding to the first tenpin of said givenset effects energization of said second relay means to connect saidfirst relay means to said source to permit the release of the aforesaidfirst tenpin to said distributor and otherwise prevents actuation ofsaid first relay means through said second relay contacts.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 wherein said 21 electrical systemincludes first and second circuits for alternately connecting said firstrelay means to said source, said first circuit including said normalopen contacts of said second relay means, said means for opening saidnormally closed contacts including a third relay, pin counter cit-normalcontacts, said distributor switch and said relay each having another setof normally closed contacts in series with said pin counter ofi-normalcontacts to define the second circuit for connecting said first relaymeans to said source, said means for actuating said pin counteron-normal contacts also being adapted to close said pin counteroff-normal contacts in response to the release of said first tenpin ofsaid given set to said distributor and for returning said oii-normalcontacts to open status upon counting off the quantity of tenpinsconstituting said given set, whereby said first relay means istemporarily energized to release individually all tenpins of said givenset to said distributor except for the first tenpin of such set when thecontacts constituting said second circuit are simultaneously closed.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 further including selector switchesfor individually shorting out the series connected normally closeddistributor switch and third relay contacts in said second circuit andfor connecting said second relay to said source.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said means for operativelyassociating said track and distributor comprises a plurality of spacedand adjustable stoppers each operatively associated with an individualone of said table cups for halting said distributor at selected ones ofsaid table cups for constituting the given set of tenpins and forotherwise allowing said distributor to by-pass all other table cups.

15. In an automatic pinspotter for spotting a given set of one or moretenpins on a bowling alley floor wherein said pin spotter includes tablemeans operable over said alley floor and which table means includes apredetermined number of spotting cups whereby each cup is adapted toreceive an individual tenpin for spotting same on said floor, saidpinspotter also including guide track means carried by said table andbeing operatively associated with said cups, distributor means fortraveling along said track and adapted to stop adjacent each cup forreleasing an individual tenpin thereto, and means for feeding apredetermined number of tenpins of at least one in quantity as a givenset to said distributor, the combination defining a mechanical counterfor counting out the tenpins constituting said given set as such tenpinsare released to the distributor comprising, movable rack means having aseries of teeth, driving means for engaging said teeth one at a time formoving said rack means from a first position to a second position,individual ones of said teeth being engaged by said driving means asindividual ones of said tenpins pass along said distributor whereby saidrack means is moved in individual steps from said first position to saidsecond position, means for returning said rack to said first position,stop means normally in register with said rack to prevent the return ofsame to its first position, said stop means also being adapted formovement to a clearance position for clearing said rack for return toits first position, catcher means for alternately holding said stopmeans in its clearance position and releasing said stop means to permitthe return of same to its normal position, means operatively responsiveto movement of said rack for actuating said catcher means, and indicatormeans selectively positioned along said rack in operative associationwith a correlated one of said rack teeth corresponding to the totalnumber of tenpins to be counted, said indicator means making registerwith said stop means to move same to its clearance position after saidrack is stepped by said driver means in response to the last tenpin ofsaid given set being fed to said distributor.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for operativelyassociating said track and distributor means includes adjustable meansalong said track, each of said means being operatively associated withan individual oneof said table cups, said means being adjustable for oneor the other of two positions, the adjustment of said means in the firstposition causing said distributor to halt at the correlated table cup topermit the release of an individual tenpin thereto and the adjustment ofsuch means to the other of its positions allowing said distributor toby-pa'ss the correlated table cup.

17. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 further including adjustabletrippers along said track and being a part of said means operativelyassociating said track and distributor means, each tripper beingoperatively associated with an individual one of said table cups, saidtrippers being adjustable for one or the other of two positions, theadjustment of any tripper in its first position causing said distributorto halt at the correleated table cup to permit the release of anindividual tenpin thereto, the adjustment of a tripper to the other ofits positions allowing said distributor to by-pass the correlated tablecup.

18. In means for automatically spotting a given set of tenpins from 1 to10 in quantity on a bowling alley floor and having table means includingten spot-ting cups for individually receiving a tenpin and spotting sameon said floor, guide track means carried by said table means and beingoperatively associated with said cups, distributor means for travelingalong said track and equipped to stop adjacent each cup for releasing anindividual tenpin thereto, and means for feeding said tenpins one at atime to said distributor, the combination comprising, cir cuit means foractuating and de-actuating said tenpin feeding means to release apredetermined number of ten pins constituting a given set to saiddistributor means, adjustable stop and pass means for causing saiddistributor to stop only at selected ones of said cups for depositing atenpin therein, said distributor otherwise by-passing all other tablecups, said selected table cups corresponding in quantity and spotposition to said given set of tenpins, said circuit means includingcounter means for counting each tenpin release to said distributor andfor momentarily energizing said circuit means when said distributormeans is stopped at a selected one of said cups to effect the release ofonly one tenpin thereto and for then de-energizing said circuit means toprevent the release of an additional tenpin to said distributor meansuntil said distributor means has completed travel to the next selectedcup of said given set and stopped thereat, whereby a given set oftenpins of predetermined number 1 to 10 in quantity and of selected spotpositions are set on said floor.

19. Means as defined in claim 18 wherein said circuit means includes anelectrical power source, electrical control means for operating saidtenpin feeding means, first contact means being normally closed inrepsonse to said distributor means being at a selected cup, secondnormally closed contact means, said second contact means being actuatedto open status when a tenpin fed to said distributor means is counted,said second contact means returning to closed status when said countedtenpin is deposited into the selected cup at which said distributormeans is stopped, and means for releasing said distributor means fortravel from said last-mentioned table cup to the next table cup of saidselected cups upon the feed of said counted tenpin from said distributormeans to said lastmentioned table cup, said electrical control meansbeing connected to said source through said first and second contactmeans whereby said circuit means is energized momentarily to feed asingles tenpin to said distributor means and then de-energized untilsaid distributor means travels and stops at the next table cup of saidselected cups.

20. Means as defined in claim 19 further including a counter normallyopen contact means also connected to said electrical control means forcoupling same to said source, said counter normally open contact meansbeing actuated to close upon the counting of the first tenpin of a givenset after release of such tenpin to said distributor means, said counternormally open contact means returning to open status after counting ofthe last tenpin fed to said distributor means and constituting saidgiven set, said electrical control means being coupled to said sourcethrough said first and second contact means and said counter normallyopen contact means to effect the feed of all tenpins constituting saidgiven set to said distributor means except for the first tenpin of saidgiven set.

21. Means as defined in claim further including second electricalcontrol means equipped for connection to said source, third contactmeans being normally closed in response to said distributor means beingat a selected cup, fourth contact means being normally closed exceptfrom the time a tenpin fed to said distributor means is counted anduntil such counted tenpin is fed to the selected table cup at which saiddistributor means is stopped, said fourth contact means having an opencontact status during the aforesaid time interval, a counter normallyclosed contact means being actuated to open status upon counting of thefirst tenpin of said given set after release of such tenpin to saiddistributor means, said counter normally closed contact means returningto closed status after counting of the last tenpin released to saiddistributor means and constituting said given set, said second controlmeans being coupled to said source through said third and fourth contactmeans and through said counter normally closed contact means, andnormally open fifth contact means actuated closed when said secondcontrol means is energized and returning to open status when said secondcontrol means is d e-energized, said normally open fifth contact meanscoupling said first control means to said source when said fifth contactmeans is closed whereby said first control means is energized to etfectthe release of the first tenpin of said given set to said distributormeans.

22. Means as defined in claim 21 further including third electricalcontrol means for controlling said second and fourth contact means andfor holding same in closed status when said third electrical controlmeans is tie-energized, second counter normally open contact means beingactuated temporarily closed from the time that a tenpin released to saiddistributor means is counted and until said counted tenpin is fed bysaid distributor means to the selected table cup at which saiddistributor means is stopped, said third control means being coupled tosaid source through said second counter normally open contact means,whereby said first electrical control means is momentarily energized toactuate said tenpin feeding means to feed the aforesaid counted tenpinto said distributor means and then said first electrical control meansis tie-energized upon counting of such tenpin to assure the delivery ofonly a single tenpin to each selected table cup.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 further including sixth contactmeans being normally closed in response to said distributor means beingat a selected cup, said sixth contact means also being coupled to saidthird electrical control means for de-energizing same from the time ofrelease of a tenpin by said distributor means to said cup and while saiddistributor means is traveling along said track means to the nextselected cup constituting said given set.

24. Means as defined in claim 18 further including an electrical powersource, electrical control means equipped for connection to said source,first contact means being normally closed in response to saiddistributor means being at a selected cup, second contact means beingnormally closed except from the time when said counter means is beingactuated to count a tenpin fed to said distributor means and until saidcounted tenpin is released to the selected cup at which said distributormeans is stopped, means for releasing said distributor means for travelfrom said last-mentioned table cup to the next table cup of saidselected cups upon the feed of said counted tenpin from said distributormeans to said last-mentioned table cup, a counter normally closedcontact means being actuated to open status upon counting of the firsttenpin of said given set after the feed of such tenpin to saiddistributor means, said counter normally closed contact means returningto closed status after counting of the last tenpin fed to saiddistributor means and constituting said given set, said control meansbeing coupled to said source through said first and second contact meansand through said counter normally closed contact means, and thirdcontact means being normally open and actuated to closed status whensaid control means is energized, said third con- .tact means returningto open status when said control means is de-energized, said thirdcontact means being equipped to energize said circuit means to effectthe release of the first tenpin of said given set to said distributormeans.

25. Means as defined in claim 18 further including an electrical powersource, electrical control means equipped to be energized by said sourcefor actuating said tenpin feeding means to effect the feed of tenpins tosaid distributor means, means for momentarily energizing said controlmeans while said distributor means is stopped at a selected table cupand for de-energizing said control means upon counting the tenpin fed tosaid distributor means, whereby said tenpin feeding means is momentarilyactuated and then tie-actuated to assure the delivery of only the singlecounted tenpin to each selected table cup.

26. Means as defined in claim 25 further including means on saiddistributor means and responsive to the release of said counted tenpinfrom said distributor means to said selected table cup for releasingsaid distributor means for travel to the next selected cup of said givenset.

References tCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,468,212 Redfield Sept. 18, 1923 2,015,428 Hedenskoog Sept. 24, 19352,692,139 Dumas Oct. 19, 1954 2,726,086 Patterson et a1 ..Dec. 6, 19552,769,637 Zuercher Nov. 6, 1956 2,890,386 Dumas June 16, 1959 2,993,620Ellison July 25, 1961 3,000,537 Simon Sept. 19, 1961

1. IN AN AUTOMATIC PINSPOTTER FOR SPOTTING A GIVEN SET OF ONE OR MORETENPINS ON A BOWLING ALLEY FLOOR, TABLE MEANS OPERABLE OVER SAID ALLEYFLOOR AND HAVING A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF SPOTTING CUPS FOR RECEIVINGSAID TENPINS AND SPOTTING SAME ON SAID FLOOR, EACH CUP BEING ADAPTED TORECEIVE AN INDIVIDUAL TENPIN AND TO SPOT SAME ON SAID FLOOR, A GUIDETRACK CARRIED BY SAID TABLE AND BEING OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAIDCUPS, DISTRIBUTOR MEANS FOR TRAVELING ALONG SAID TRACK AND ADAPTED TOSTOP ADJACENT EACH CUP FOR RELEASING AN INDIVIDUAL TENPIN THERETO, MEANSFOR FEEDING SAID TENPINS ONE AT A TIME TO SAID DISTRIBUTOR, CIRCUITMEANS FOR SELECTIVELY AND MOMENTARILY ACTUATING AND THEN DE-ACTUATINGSAID TENPIN FEEDING MEANS TO RELEASE A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF TENPINSOF 1 TO 9 IN QUANTITY AS A GIVEN SET TO SAID DISTRIBUTOR, AND MEANSOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATING SAID TRACK AND DISTRIBUTOR AND CAUSING SAIDDISTRIBUTOR TO STOP AT SELECTED ONES OF SAID CUPS FOR DEPOSITING ATENPIN THEREIN, SAID DISTRIBUTOR OTHERWISE BY-PASSING ALL OTHER TABLECUPS, WHEREBY A SET OF PINS OF SAID PREDETERMINED NUMBER AND OF SELECTEDSPOT POSITION ARE SET ON SAID FLOOR.